A little over a year after cutting the ribbon on their facility in Reinfeld, Southman Gleaners is already expanding.
The non-profit, which makes dehydrated soup mix out of unmarketable but perfectly edible vegetables to send to people in need the world over, broke ground last week on construction that will more than double its available space, creating room for some much-needed coolers and a lunch room for its volunteers.
“We need more room, so it’s an exciting time for us,” said board president Abe Janzen, sharing with those in attendance at the short ceremony Oct. 9 that work was set to begin immediately. “As soon as you all leave, we’re ready to go.”
George Wieler, board secretary-treasurer and one of the founding members of the organization, reflected on the many people they owe thanks to for supporting this mission in its work.
“I don’t know where to start. It seems like a thank you isn’t even enough for the support we get, be it the volunteers, be it the produce, financially, it’s just been overwhelming,” he said. “You look at a project like this and you wonder how’s that ever going to come to completion? But we’ve come this far and we’ll make this happen too.”
About half a million dollars is needed to pay for the expansion, but they have faith they’ll raise it.
“It’s a team effort,” stressed Wieler. “It’s community, locally and around southern Manitoba. I have to give the people credit—it’s because of them that they get led to help us get to this point.”
Janzen shared that they have anywhere from 10 to 30 people coming out every day to help them process the vegetables they get donated from producers large and small all across southern Manitoba.
On any given day they handle about 3,000 pounds of food, generating 25,000 servings of soup. They estimate they can make between four to five million servings a year. The easy-to-ship packages have been sent worldwide.
“So far it’s been going to Mexico, Ukraine, Africa, Guatemala, some to Cuba, and also some local Winnipeg food cupboards,” Wieler said.
Wherever there’s hungry people, they hope to be able to feed them.
“We see the need,” Wieler said. “A lot of the stuff that is being processed would either be going to the feedlots or in the landfill.
“So we’re salvaging—that’s a big part is to be able to salvage something, that drives me to some degree,” added Janzen. “There’s nothing wrong with feeding cattle, but feeding people is even more important.”
For the many volunteers and donors who work tirelessly to keep the lights on and the machines operating, faith is at the core of this work.
“[It’s] to help those who can’t help themselves,” Janzen said. “When you see hunger and you’re able to do something about it, that’s what drives us.”
“We don’t do it for ourselves,” agreed Wieler. “We do it to glorify God and to feed His people.”
If you’d like to donate to or get involved with Southman Gleaners, you can connect with them online at southmangleaners.ca.
